First Pumpkin Festival a success

The dew had barely lifted from the grass at LaVanche Hursch Community Park in Arbuckle before people starting picking out pumpkins.

The chilly nip to the fall air did even more for the ambiance.

Last weekend's Pumpkin Festival was the first for the Arbuckle Revitalization Committee, but its success has organizers already thinking about next year.

"I can see this event growing from year to year," said committee president Debbie Charter. "I thought we did pretty well for our first time. Next year, I would like to see crafters and other vendors fill the parking lot."

Charter said when Arbuckle residents started arriving even before the pumpkins were set out and the vendor booths opened, she knew the Revitalization Committee had found another successful event.

ARC holds one of the largest car shows in the North State the last Sunday in October, a Spring Fiesta in May and hosts the summer Farmers Market, which wrapped up for the year in August.

All are held to help the committee raise money for downtown revitalization and park improvements.

"Our next big project will be restoring the old depot," Charter said.

Although the Pumpkin Festival drew mostly Arbuckle, College City and Dunnigan residents looking for big pumpkins to carve for Halloween or small pumpkins to add to their fall decorations, it attracted its share of cooks looking to transform the succulent gourd-like squash into a delectable dessert.

"Fresh pumpkin cheesecake has totally replaced pumpkin pie at my house," said Rosaria Calderon of Arbuckle. "It's so good. Pumpkin, cream cheese, heavy cream and spices. You can't go wrong there."

Arbuckle Revitalization Committee member Mary Fahey of Wise Acre Farm suggested the festival, which was almost like an extension of the Farmers Market.

Many of the same market vendors returned for the event, and local artists and crafters found the Pumpkin Festival better motivation to jump-start them into the holidays.

"We normally have a craft show about this time, but we are not doing it this year," said Arbuckle's Janet Dawley, who makes a variety of handmade gifts. "So this is great. Everyone is always so happy at these kind of events."

While people strolled from booth to booth, children enjoyed skipping through pumpkins as if they formed a maze, made plant people with the master gardeners or jumped in the bounce house.

Even children as young as 15-month-old Allison Hanlin and 2-year-old Joseph Mencia eagerly picked from a wide variety of cucurbita — in colors of white, yellow and orange.

"We need more events like this in Arbuckle," said Tina Mencia of Arbuckle. "I think we should have a watermelon festival, an almond harvest festival and a rice festival."

While Charter said she was pleased to add the Pumpkin Festival to Arbuckle's litany of community activities, the biggest town event will likely remain the Arbuckle Car Show and depot birthday bash, which will be held this year on Oct. 30.

The show attracts about 300 classic and antique show participants, between 800 and 1,000 people and includes music, vendors, a tri-tip lunch and a Halloween costume parade for children.

CONTACT Susan Meeker at 458-2121 or smeeker@tcnpress.com .